FRITZ!Box reports "A microwave was detected"

The speed of the wireless connection (WiFi) to the FRITZ!Box displayed by wireless devices such as computers, smartphones, or tablets, is significantly lower than the data rate possible with the wireless standard 802.11n. The following message is displayed in the event log of the FRITZ!Box:

Cause

The FRITZ!Box detects sources of interference, for example a microwave in the frequency range around 2.45 GHz. To ensure that wireless connections still remain stable, the FRITZ!Box automatically reduces the channel bandwidth from 40 MHz to 20 MHz. Although this causes wireless devices to display a lower data rate, the user data rate is increased because there is less interference and the wireless connection is no longer affected by retransmissions.

Note:The configuration procedure and notes on functions given in this guide refer to the latest FRITZ!OS for your FRITZ!Box.

Simply proceed as described below. After each measure, check whether the issue persists.

1 Identifying sources of interference

Turn off all devices that could interfere with the wireless network.

Note:All devices that emit radio waves are possible sources of interference. These include other wireless devices, wireless speakers, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors or microwaves, for example.

Check whether the wireless connection is still impaired.

If the wireless connection is no longer impaired:

Turn the devices back on, one after the other.

Each time you turn on a device, check whether the wireless connection is impaired again.

If you identify a device or devices causing interference, you have the following options:

Leave the devices that cause interference turned off,

or:

Enable or refresh the auto channel (see the section "Enabling or refreshing the auto channel"),

or:

Find the ideal location for the FRITZ!Box (see the section "Finding the ideal location for wireless devices").

2 Enabling or refreshing the auto channel

If the auto channel is enabled, the FRITZ!Box checks the wireless environment and automatically selects the most suitable wireless channel settings. The allocation of the frequency bands can change significantly over the course of the day, though. The FRITZ!Box does not refresh the auto channel as long as wireless devices are still connected with it. However, you can manually update the auto channel at any time:

Note:All wireless connections to the FRITZ!Box are cleared and then automatically re-established when you enable or refresh the auto channel.

Click the "Refresh Auto Channel" button.

3 Finding the ideal location for the FRITZ!Box

If possible, position the FRITZ!Box in a room that is centrally located.

Do not position the FRITZ!Box directly in the corner of a room.

Position the FRITZ!Box so that it is as unobstructed as possible, i.e. not directly in back of or under an obstacle such as pieces of furniture or a heater.

Position the FRITZ!Box as high in the room as possible, for example on a shelf.

Position the FRITZ!Box so that there are as few obstacles as possible between it and the other wireless devices. In particular, metallic objects or objects containing water, for example radiators, a refrigerator, or even houseplants, significantly reduce the quality of the wireless signal.

Position the FRITZ!Box so that it is away from other transmitters, for example microwaves, wireless speakers, or Bluetooth devices.

4 Establishing a wireless connection to the 5 GHz frequency band

The FRITZ!Box either provides a wireless network in the 2.4 GHz or the 5 GHz frequency band. The 5 GHz frequency band is subject to interference less frequently. Therefore, switch to this frequency band if your wireless devices support the 5 GHz frequency band: